The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-04-22
A Romance in Real Life Develops in Hun
tingdon County.
JACOB STANLEY, suProsKD SUICIDE, AP.
PEARS AFTER THIRTEEN YEARS TO
CLAIM his INHERITANCE NOW
ENJOYED by HIS FORMER
WIFE AND ADOPTED

WIFE AND ADOPTED
SON.
A case involving a most intricate
legal problem and all the features of a
romance was brought to the attention
Of the court at Huntingdon on the 18th
inst. In 1872 Jacob Stanley, an old
man Of eccentric habits, died in Shav.
cr's Creek, leaving property worth $780,
900. A protracted settlement of his
estate reduced this amount TO about
$25,0O0 and over this a long and stub
born legal controversy was waged.
Stanley left widow and son. The
widow has been his fifth wife, and the
son, who was also named Jacob was
supposed to be the child of his second
wife, though it was found necessary to
legitimatize him by an act OF Assembly.
In early life the son Jacob left home,
and in 1860 married. He lived with
his wife fourteen years, and in 1874
suddenly disappeared, sitce which time
no trace of him could be obtained un-
I'll short time ago, when he voluntari-
ly put himself iE communication with
M. 5. Leytle, an attorney of Hunting
don.
In 1868 young Stanley and his wife
went to Rebecca, Neb., where he was
appointed postmaster, but some irregu-
larities resulted in his being sent to the
House of Correction at Detroit, Mich.
He was extravagant and improvident,
and it was doubtless, his fathers know.
ledge of these qualities that induced
him to make peculiar will. The in.
strument was executed in December
1870, and two years later the testator
died. 1t proyi1ed that the real estate
should be rented by his executor and
the rents paid annually TO his son,
Jacob, at whose death the property
should go 10 his heirs, including bis
wife. 1t also provided that the execu-
tor might sell the real estate at his dis
cretion, and that all moneys at the
death of the son, Jacob, should be
equally divided among his heirs.
In 1872 young Jacob aud his wife
returned from the West after the death
of his father. He had left numerous
creditors in this State, and as his faith
er's will did not provide that the an
nuity should not be liable for the SOM
debts the latter's creditors obtain ed
judgments against him and attached
the money in the hands of the execu-
tor, 80 that he never received any of
it. Being childless, Stanley determined
upon obtaining an heir by adoption and
selected a boy 3 years old, named
George Lightner, son of very poor
man in Stone Valley.
PECULIAR DIsAPPEARANCE.
Stanley continued to live with his
family until February 13, 1874, when
he very mysterously disappeared, leav-
ing note for his wife, in which he
stated that he had concluded to drown
himself and that his body would be
found in the Juniata River. His coat,
hat and other articles of clothing were
found at the place indicated, but al
though diligent search was continued
for several weeks in the river, no trace
of his body was ever found. After
waiting for seven years Mrs. Stanley
took out letters of administration on
his estate and distribution of the
property left by old Jacob Stanley was
made equally between her and the
adopted son. Soon after her husbands
supposed death, Mrs. Stanley remarked
and located In one of the extreme
Western states, where she is still living.
The adopted son. who is now in his
fifteenth year, resides with his natural
parents in Huntingdon county. A
considerable portion Of his share of the
division has been expended on his ed
ucation.
Now comes the sequel of this singu-
lar story. In January last Slahlcy.
whom every one believes TO be dead,
wrote to M. s. Leytle, under the assum
ed name OF w. w. Williams. He was
then living in Boston, buG now resides
In North Dighton, Mass. He made In
quiry after the Stanley family, and par
ticularly about the estate of old Jacob
Stanley. Mr.. Leytle, having been bis
attorney, at once recognized the hand
writing, and during the correspondence
that followed Stahlhy threw off his dis
euise and acknowledged his identity.
lie has never been away from Massa-
chusetts, he says, since bis sudden dis
appearance thirteen years ago. In his
letters he expresses repentance for his
erratic course, but says that under his
assumed name he has lived an exemp-
larry life and has acquired good rep
utation. lie now desires that his
fathers estate, long since divided be-
tween his wife, who has since remarked.
and their adopted son, be recovered
and transferred to himself, and to this
end bis attorney began the preliminary
proceedings in the prosecution before
Judge Furst. Whether the estate can
be recovered is question over which
there is much difference of opinion
inasmuch as the court six years
ago accepted the supposition of Stab
leys death by reason of his protracted
absence and his expressed deteriDin-
alton to commit suicide.